Category: Book Reviews

Review: What A Dragon Should Know (Dragon Kin Book 3) by G.A. Aiken

Rating: 5⭐️

I don’t know how this book managed to be highly smutty, downright hilarious, and also tear my heart out, all in one. 

This book sets the bar high for any book that follows it. Ah, Gwenvael the Handsome! That rascal dragon who loves being a lover while evading his responsibilities as a Dragon Prince. He’s been an absolutely engaging and entertaining secondary character in recent stories, a true scene stealer!  That flirtatious class clown who no one takes seriously but you just know has depth of character if you could just get him focused. 

Here he gets his chance to shine, or maybe show his truth. And in a way that is startling, hilarious, and often heartbreaking. I mean, I cried buckets at one point. 

The complexity of plotting here is breathtaking. The main storyline of Gwenvael and Dagmar Reinholdt, aka The Beast, is highly engaging . A plot in itself that is emotionally charged and thoughtful story of deeply flawed family dynamics, damaged familial relationships, and differing perceptions of love.

Then, in more beautifully crafted and woven stories, we get the heart heavy storylines of the other characters and family members being pulled together into the central plot. 

This will showcase the gods that we’ve met. Dive deeper into their agendas, and see exactly how they view each other’s actions, especially as it’s has ramifications for the characters themselves. 

I really didn’t expect this element or aspects of the story and series. I thought, afterwards, it was necessary to show exactly how remote and “godlike “ these beings are. And that benevolence is not a godly concept but a human one. 

Tears, people, great, ugly, sobbing tears.  

Yes, it may end with what appears to be a good feeling finish but upon another reading, (honestly it takes several ) for all the aspects of the details and plotting to form the complex puzzle that this author is creating.  And that leaves a slight sense of foreboding for all in the upcoming books. 

At the third book, I’m excited for this series and the rest of the journey. 

But what a bar to set going forward. Fabulous!

Dragon Kin – 9 books complete series :

Dragon Actually #1

About A Dragon #2

What a Dragon Should Know #3

Last Dragon Standing #4

The Dragon Who Loved Me #5

How to Drive a Dragon Crazy #6

Light My Fire #7

Feel The Burn #8

Bring The Heat #9

Buy link

Expect a lot of humor, snarky remarks, and great chemistry” in this fantasy adventure from the New York Timesbestselling author of About a Dragon(Under the Covers Book Blog).

Only for those I love would I traipse into the merciless Northlands to risk life, limb, and my exquisite beauty. But do they appreciate it? Do they say, “Gwenvael the Handsome, you are the best among us—the most loved of all dragons?” No! For centuries my family has refused to acknowledge my magnificence as well as my innate humility. Yet for them, and because I am so chivalrous, I will brave the worst this land has to offer.

So here I stand, waiting to broker an alliance with the one the Northlanders call The Beast. A being so fearful, the greatest warriors will only whisper its name. Yet I, Gwenvael, will courageously face down this terrifying . . . woman? It turns out the Beast, a.k.a. Dagmar Reinholdt, is a woman—one with steel-gray eyes and a shocking disregard for my good looks. Beneath her plain robes and prim spectacles lies a sensual creature waiting to be unleashed. Who better than a dragon to thaw out that icy demeanor? 

And who better than a beast to finally tame a mighty dragon’s heart?

  • Publisher: Zebra Books
  • Publication date: September 1, 2009
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 401 pages
  • Book 3 of 9: Dragon Kin

Review:  Bramble Burn (The Convergence Book 1) by Autumn Dawn

Rating: 3✨

Autumn Dawn and her series, The Convergence, starting with Bramble Burn, was a top recommendation on a fantasy list so I picked it up based on similar themes and recommendations. 

What I found both delighted and disappointed me in terms of character development and plot design. 

Let’s start with the positive aspects of this story. Which are primarily related to the design and detail of Bramble Burn Park itself. 

The premise is that at some point in time our world and that of the Fae Underhill world merged, violently. From the geological landscape to actual buildings, there was an explosion of activity as physical changes, actual melding or melting of structures, happened, leaving our world forever changed. 

One mage leaves her family and farm to go buy a cheap abandoned city park from the mayor and officials, the Bramble Burn Park. A park so dangerous, so overrun, and inhabited by unknown creatures that evolved from the merge that no one enters in. One she intends to remake and make her own. 

That gorgeous, mystical cover is the tree home that tree mage, Juniper, first makes in the forest. And mysterious, eerie, Bramble Burn, with all its distinctive features, wilding areas, and imaginative creatures, is a highlight of the story. 

Too bad the author leaves it behind and tosses it away for another storyline altogether. Anyway, the park and Juniper’s resolve to make it her own, is the best part of the story. 

This includes her magic and the obstacles that come as she slowly builds up the frame around the park. And her living structures made from trees. 

The author really does an excellent job in making this park as intriguing, horrifying, and beautifully alive right from the beginning. And Juniper as well. From her perspective, she’s revealed to be increasingly powerful, someone who chooses to be alone in her woods, territorial and masterful in her pursuit of her goals. 

That’s where the author had me. Until she didn’t. 

The not so great aspects of the story. 

The romantic aspects of the book and the relationships. 

Bring on the dragons and werewolves. 

Spoilers ahead.

The plot turns from Juniper needing to make Bramble Burn hers within a time frame to dragon father, dragon sister, bratty brother who might be dangerous, and a human, enabling suffocating mother full of flags. 

It gets so much worse. 

Author Autumn Dawn reveals that Juniper is a “fertile female “ half dragon, therefore she is a catch or highly regarded female for both werewolves and dragons for her abilities to breed. 

Her werewolf, blink and he’s in love with her and asserting his mate bond over her, to a newly arrived dragon, both thrilled with Juniper’s fertility.

At this point I’m wondering what happened to the character I was reading at the beginning of the story. That strong woman is reduced to a breeder, complaining about a brother who is attacking her ( mom is excusing him) and complies with accepting the werewolf because he’s nice. 

There’s a strange new plot that introduces a bunch of characters that has nothing to do with the original story. Takes them away from the park. The author decides to immediately wrap up what was originally a complex issue, leaving huge threads unexplained or just left out. 

Juniper, the powerful tree mage who wanted to just work with her Forrest now ends up mated, marriages, with twins. 

What? 

So once again, I’m floored that an author went totally south with her character, world and plot development.  

It was if she decided halfway to change everything but without any notice, explanation , or foundation. 

So I’m not proceeding with either author or the series. 

Cool cover though. 

COVER DESIGN: Autumn Dawn 

The Convergence:

Bramble Burn #1

And a bunch more books each with a different character apparently. 

Buy link

 Book 1 of 7: Convergence 

Blurb 

It’s been thirty years since the Convergence, when the dimensions aligned and combined Earth and the world of Gwyllon, known in human mythology as “Underhill”. Elven castles and ancient ruins sprouted on vacant lots and merged with existing buildings, twisting into new structures. Roads and rail systems reformed, and after the rioting, starvation and death, agriculture sorted itself and food began to flow. A new government formed of elves and men arose, a society of human tech and elven magic. Cell phones and frost giants, race cars and elven steeds, dungeons and dragons…

And everywhere, monsters.

Tree mage Juniper was twenty-three, a child of the new generation. When she found a source of magic buried in an abandoned park, she made a deal with the city. If she can stabilize the park’s wild magic, she’ll own it…if she can survive. Now she has to clear out magic spawned monsters, deal with a werewolf suitor and survive her bloodthirsty dragon uncle. She’s going to have to dig deep to subdue Bramble Burn Park.

Hot but sweet romance. Does not contain explicit sex scenes.

[Amazon notes it’s similar to the Kate Daniels series. No. Absolutely not. Amazon needs to stop making comparisons. ]

  • Publication date: April 30, 2015
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 299 pages
  • Book 1 of 7: Convergence

Review:  All Fun and Games (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 11) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating:  5✨⭐️

All Fun and Games is the penultimate book and it’s a fantastic read. As Honor Raconteur gets closer to the series finale next year, the characters are more settled in their respective roles and relationships. That’s never been more satisfying and clear than seeing Jamie and Henri finally engaged and preparing for their wedding and future plans. 

Jamie’s Queen’s Own are functional and adding to their numbers and the core group we’ve gotten to know so well.   And that brings us to this complicated series of murders that Jamie, Henri and the Queen’s Own must investigate.

Cruel, seemingly unrelated, and yet Jamie can feel there’s something tying these horrifying acts together. 

Alongside the investigations, the couple are moving forward with their new life together. Looking for new housing, and oncoming nuptials. 

There’s wonderful twists and heartbreaking turns. And a lovely little end. 

The last book in the series will be published next year and I look forward to seeing how Jamie and Henri‘s remarkable journey comes to a close. 

Highly recommended. 

No sexual content. A sweet kiss, nothing more. Magical energy, crime investigation and science fiction. Terrific work. 

This is Honor Raconteur also known as AJ. Sherwood.  A must read no matter what name she’s writing under. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        All Fun and Games (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 11)

    

Blurb 

It’s all fun and games until someone gets murdered.

Well, the Queen’s Own certainly isn’t having fun, because what’s worse than one case? Two, of course. And what’s worse than two? Whatever madness Jamie’s currently in.

The body count is rising, all the MO’s are different, and cleaning charms have wiped the murder scenes of clues. It’s hard to link the cases beyond the use of the charms, yet Jamie is sure there’s a connection. But what is it?

They need to figure out the answer fast, because the clues suggest one of their own might be next.

  • Publisher: Raconteur House
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: August 1, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 422 pages
  • Book 11 of 11: The Case Files of Henri Davenforth

Review: Go Fetch (Magnus Pack Book 2) by Shelly Laurenston 

Rating: 4⭐️

Another entertaining read in Laurenston’s Magnus Pack series. Go Fetch features Miki, the hacker/bar owner bestie of wolfshifter Sara. Sara now lives in California with her Alpha mate. But Miki has unresolved issues with Conall Víga-Feilan , who knew he was hooked as soon as he laid eyes on his Alpha’s best friend, the pint-sized Miki Kendrick in Texas. 

Their chemistry and dynamics are hilariously different from the previous couple but it’s so good that it keeps the reader happy and invested in their relationship. 

The drama and ongoing storyline of pack issues is not well defined or given enough foundation here. It seems to carry over into the third book. But there’s little framework for this intense plot and species plotting. 

Had the author laid out a trilogy wide storyline that encapsulated this arc and events this would have been a more compelling and well grounded series and novel. 

It’s still highly entertaining and recommended.Just wishful thinking on my part. 

Cover design by Deranged Doctor Design.

Magnus Pack: 

  • Pack Challenge 
  • Go Fetch 
  • Here Kitty, Kitty 
  • “Miss Congeniality” in When He Was Bad anthology

Buy link

        Go Fetch (Magnus Pack Book 2)

    

Blurb 

How much trouble can one small female be to a modern-day shapeshifting Viking? Well…it really depends on local gun laws.

Conall Víga-Feilan, direct descendent of Viking shifters, never thought he’d meet a female strong enough to be his mate. He especially didn’t think a short, viper-tongued human would ever fit the bill. But Miki Kendrick isn’t some average human. With an IQ off the charts and a special skill with weapons of all kinds, Miki brings the big blond pooch to his knees—and keeps him there.

Miki’s way too smart to ever believe in love and she knows a guy like Conall could only want one thing from her. But with the Pack’s enemies on her tail and a few days stuck alone with the one man who makes her absolutely wild, Miki is about to discover how persistent one Viking wolf can be.

  • Publisher: Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency
  • Publication date: July 11, 2016
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 243 pages
  • Book 2 of 3: Magnus Pack

Review : Pack Challenge (Magnus Pack #1) by Shelly Laurenston

Rating: 4⭐️

I’m continuing my journey through Shelly Laurenston’s catalog and started in on the Magnus Pack trilogy as it’s focused on three closely knit girlfriends. Each has her own story, only one of which is a shifter but there are shifters in each connected story. 

Things to consider first. These are sexy, sexy tough women and the stories are full of scenes that flow accordingly. If you’re looking for sweet content, you might want to look elsewhere. 

Considering my favorite series is Laurenston’s honey badger series I really enjoyed it. IYKYK.

The first character and girlfriend is a heavily scarred, damaged, pain-filled woman, Sara Morrighan. With scars across her face and a limp from a badly damaged leg when she and her dad were attacked by mountain lions and she was left for dead. 

Sara, along with her best friends, Miki Kendric and Angelina Santiago, keep an eye out for each other, keeping each other safe and supporting them. Especially Sara, raised by a crazy grandmother and has an employer/surrogate father, Marrec, owner of a local motorcycle shop. 

But the small Texas town has secrets. Sara’s life is about to change, she’s getting aggressive and her leg is still full of pain. 

Then a group of people on motorcycles rides into town. Zack, one of them, shows an immediate reaction to Sara. One that’s returned.

This is a very good fast paced story about someone who doesn’t know what she is. And is about to find out the hard way.   There’s shifter battles, tons of great sex scenes and wonderful chemistry between characters that makes the instant lust realistic. 

The three women are hilarious together. The sisterhood is alive and well and relatable here. We absolutely believe these women grew up together and know each other inside and out.  The dialogue is amazing. 

Some world building feels under explored as does the shifter universe here. But on the individual level, it’s exciting and sexy storytelling. 

A definite winner. 

Cover design by Deranged Doctor Design.

Magnus Pack: 

  • Pack Challenge 
  • Go Fetch 
  • Here Kitty, Kitty 
  • “Miss Congeniality” in When He Was Bad anthology

Buy link

 Book 1 of 3: Magnus Pack 

Blurb 

What’s an Alpha Male to do when he meets the Alpha Female of his dreams? Step one, hide all sharp objects. 

All Zach Sheridan ever wanted was to become Alpha Male of his Pack and to be left alone. What he definitely didn’t need in his life was some needy female demanding his attention. What he never saw coming was the vicious, scarred female who not only demanded his attention but knew exactly how to get it.

Sara Morrighan knew this was the best she could expect from her life. Good friends. A nice place to live. And a safe job. But when Zach rode into her small Texas town with his motorcycle club, Sara knew she wanted more. She knew she wanted him. But after one sexy encounter with her dream biker, everything is starting to change. Her body. Her strength. That new thing she’s doing with the snarling. Even her best friends are starting to wonder what’s going on with her.

But this is only the beginning. Sara’s about to find out her life was meant for so much more. And Zach’s about to find true love with the one woman who makes him absolutely insane.

Review: Review: Uncharted Grounds (Maya’s Blog’s Book 3) by Lara McKenzie

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Uncharted Grounds, the third book in Maya’s Blog’s series is indeed uncharted territory for the characters here. 

Lara McKenzie’s format of having her character, Maya, chart her growth and  life events through a Blog that’s grown substantially from 5 readers to a inter species paranormal readership of millions , including ones she now includes as friends and found family, has become a stunning journey of inspiring personal growth and self discovery. 

But it’s a realistic one, full of painful and awful moments of despair and even death. Those have been equally terrifying and tragic for Maya and those around her. 

And this deals with the consequences of that event, the aftermath, and the unexpected repercussions that it will bring upon Maya’s relationship with her shadow demon warrior fiancée. 

There are hilarious scenes, terrifying moments, utter heartbreak, and solemn moments of thoughtful reflection upon her own experiences and past history that make her look at her current situation and how she feels about going forward. 

I can’t say enough about how much I love this beautifully written series about Maya and her journey through her new life , her friends and how she has grown up and dealt with each new challenge she’s faced.

While this is a fantasy/science fiction universe, the parallels to a contemporary world are very real and heartfelt. And often heartbreaking. 

Keep your tissues close by. 

This is a deeply personal and emotional story that connects with each reader in differently. 

Highly recommended. 

Love these covers with their specific topics, this one being Genevieve who had a big role here. 

Cover Illustration Main image by Manuka Madushan, Digital Illustrator.

MAYA’S BLOGS:

Espresso Yourself #1

Brew Diligence #2

Uncharted Grounds #3

Flat White Flag #4

Little Bean #5 (coming soon)

Buy link

        Uncharted Grounds: A Paranormal Comedy with Heart (Maya’s Blogs Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Life hasn’t been normal since a mermaid resurrected Maya Rivers.

Between supernatural side effects, the terrifying mermaid mafia who wants more than she’s prepared to give, and a shadow demon who would raze realms to keep her safe, Maya is trying to figure out who she is—and where she truly belongs.

In a world of chaotic friendship and found family, one thing’s certain: Maya isn’t just surviving anymore.

She’s ready to stand her ground.

  • Publication date: July 21, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 310 pages
  • Book 3 of 5: Maya’s Blogs

Review:  Family and Honor (Jacky Leon, #2) by K. N. Banet 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Family and Honor (Jacky Leon, #2) by K. N. Banet is another example of the second book in the series moving forward with character development, overall depth of series foundation and plot structure in such an exciting and fast paced way.

I honestly loved it better than the first for many reasons. Banet brings Jackie back into her territory, her home base where she’s comfortable. So we see a different aspect of the character. Right before the author begins to shake Jackie’s base and hard won stability up again. 

An impulsive contract made because, once again the human child Carey is involved, will be the one thing that will pry open the solid isolation from werecat politics that Jackie’s maintained. 

And ends up bringing her back into contact with her werecat family. 

Banet has written a complicated, high paced, multi layered book. It has murder mysteries to investigate, multiple paranormal species involved, travel outside of Jackie’s territory, and further exploration into her family dynamics and history. 

A real exciting, emotional thriller! Another late night finish! Just fantastic! Highly recommended! 

The Jacky Leon Series :

Oath Sworn 

Family and Honor 

Broken Loyalty 

Echoed Defiance 

Shades of Hate 

Royal Pawn 

Rogue Alpha 

Bitter Discord 

Volume One: Books 1-3

Buy link

 Book 2 of 12: Jacky Leon 

Blurb 

I got away with it. Carey and her family are safe and I survived to tell the tale. Now I’m the only werecat in the supernatural community that can say a small family of werewolves lives in my borders. But, in the effort of saving Carey and helping her father, I had to begin shedding the secrets that kept me safe for years.

My identity is out there now. As one of Hasan’s children, more is expected of me and I had no idea what sort of repercussions would come from my decisions. Werecats are reporting problems all over the world and when two go missing, I can’t avoid the feeling of guilt.

My name is Jacky Leon and I am a child of Hasan, ruler of the werecats. I have to learn how to live up to the obligations and expectations of my family before more people die.

My honor demands it.

  • Publication date: November 15, 2019
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 402 pages
  • Book 2 of 12: Jacky Leon

Review: About a Dragon (Dragon Kin, #2) by G.A. Aiken 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

There’s an author’s note at the beginning where she describes her own fondness for the character of Briec the Mighty , Lord Arrogance. He’s truly convinced of his own high status as a royal dragon and that anyone else isn’t worthy of notice. 

Briec, who we met before in the first book when Annwyl hilariously asked if he gave himself the name of Briec the Mighty, is a harder sell here. His personality isn’t one I relate to like the author does. But it’s in the scenes where he’s a subtle surprise, using his arrogance to be a support for his partner and family that ends up winning the reader over. 

To begin with, it’s the witch I really connected with , and whose journey I throughly invested in.  And what a path she took! 

Talaith is the human Chosen one for the goddess Arzhela. Shes lived a very hard life according to her goddess’s wishes, one of deprivation and loss. 

It starts out in a village where she’s married to a man she clearly dislikes. And takes a downward turn from there. 

One element I just love about G. A. Aiken , a pen name for author Shelly Laurenston, a writer who is an auto read, is her women characters. Strong, well written, multi dimensional, great dialogue that is in accord with what background and culture they’re from. But also with frailties and damage from whatever they have had to endure. That even as witches or shifters, readers like myself can relate to them. 

As we do with Talaith and the events and challenges she has to face here. 

Albeit not alone, with a sexy Lord Arrogance along side her. 

As with the first book, there’s plenty of violence, battles and extremely sexy scenes between the characters. 

So if a sweet paranormal love tale is what you’re looking for, this probably isn’t it. 

But dragons, witches, warrior women, and battles? All found within! Check out this complete series . A definite winner!

Dragon Kin:

Dragon Actually #1

About A Dragon #2

What a Dragon Should Know #3

Last Dragon Standing #4

The Dragon Who Loved Me #5

How to Drive a Dragon Crazy #6

Light My Fire #7

Feel The Burn #8

Bring The Heat #9

Buy link

        About A Dragon

    

Blurb 

For Nolwenn witch Talaith, a bad day begins with being dragged from bed by an angry mob intent on her crispy end and culminates in rescue by—wait for it—a silver-maned dragon. Existence as a hated outcast is nothing new for a woman with such powerful secrets. The dragon, though? A tad unusual. This one has a human form to die for—and knows it. According to dragon law, Talaith is now his property, for pleasure . . . or otherwise. But if Lord Arrogance thinks she’s the kind of damsel to acquiesce without a word, he’s in for a surprise . . . 

Is the woman never silent? Briec the Mighty knew the moment he laid eyes on Talaith that she would be his, but he’d counted on tongue-lashings of an altogether different sort. It’s embarrassing, really, that it isn’t this outspoken female’s magicks that have the realm’s greatest dragon in her thrall. No, Briec has been spellbound by something altogether different—and if he doesn’t tread carefully, what he doesn’t know about human women could well be the undoing of his entire race . . .

  • Publisher: Zebra Books
  • Publication date: November 25, 2008
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 385 pages
  • Book 2 of 9: Dragon Kin

Review: Oath Sworn (Jacky Leon Book 1) by K. N. Banet 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I’m reading a lot of strong women main character centric content, mostly urban fantasy and paranormal stories.  Luckily there’s so much out there to explore from a multitude of writers as it’s a very popular genre, something I’m very excited about. 

Oath Sworn, the beginning of the Jacky Leon series by K. N. Banet, is a strong start into the series, and really great take on this popular trope. 

Banet is a new to me writer, and I’m unfamiliar with The Tribunal universe that this series takes place in. However, I don’t think that not having read other books from other series impacts on my experience here. The world building is slowly layered in as the events occur, giving them a solid foundation and putting the political and governmental system in place as needed. 

What or should I say who really does it for me here is the main character, Jackie Leon. She’s a werecat. In this story one on a mission to recover a human child stolen out of her care by a werewolf gang. She’s tracked them down and is bent on retrieving the child, which means violating The Tribunal Laws. 

It’s a terrific story with lots of storytelling and plot lines to develop and carry through to completion. It introduces Jackie, some of her origin story (part of which is an ongoing mystery). Her troubled dynamic with her werecat father, and current life. Then the father of the human child, Carey Everson , stolen from her. He’s the current Werewolf Alpha, and wolves and the werecats are vicious enemies historically. 

There’s so many emotional undercurrents and unresolved conflicts between the species, so tensions are high, constantly threatening the tentatively established peace and process needed to search for Carey amidst rising enemies.

The story is extremely well written. The action is fast paced and often emotionally charged. 

Each species is well defined and there no romantic relationship. But a hint of what might be developed in the future. 

I liked that Banet wrapped up this story completely so we start fresh in the next book. 

Cover artist isn’t credited.

Highly recommended. 

The Jacky Leon Series :

Oath Sworn 

Family and Honor 

Broken Loyalty 

Echoed Defiance 

Shades of Hate 

Royal Pawn 

Rogue Alpha 

Bitter Discord 

Volume One: Books 1-3

Buy link

 Book 1 of 12: Jacky Leon 

Blurb 

I’ve never been the type to find trouble. Owning a bar takes work and that was all I wanted. Serving cold beers and paying my taxes. Those were the responsibilities I wanted for the rest of my life.

I didn’t ask to be a werecat. I didn’t ask for the responsibility to uphold an ancient treaty. I didn’t ask to get pulled into the middle of a werewolf pack’s coup.

But Carey Everson, the very human daughter of a werewolf Alpha, needs me. Her father’s enemies are on her heels and I’m her last defense. And I’ll be that defense until my final breath, even if it means challenging the very Laws that govern the supernatural. I gave her my word.

My name is Jacky Leon and nothing is going to stop me from honoring my word.

The Jacky Leon series is an Urban Fantasy series with a slow-burn romance.

  • Publication date: July 15, 2019
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 354 pages
  • Book 1 of 12: Jacky Leon

Review:  Dragon Actually (Dragon Kin, #1) by G. A. Aiken 

Rating: 4⭐️

Written by Dragon Actually contains two complete stories. Dragon Actually and then one that’s a bit of a prequel, Chains & Flames. But the order here is actually better imo. 

The first story is the violent journey of Annwyl the Bloody to remove her heinous brother from the throne and save her people. During a heated battle, Fearghus the Destroyer, a dragon of immense power and fearsome legend, comes into her path in an unexpected twist. 

Annwyl is battle hardened , often violent, and physically powerful. Shes also with rage and prone to battle madness. We get little of her background except that it was extremely abusive,  physically damaging. Her father, the dead King being even worse than the brother who succeeded him, the brother being an obsessive horror. 

The dragons, yes, a huge group of excessive personalities, a ruling family of them, are well defined. Each with a specific character and definitely non-human traits. Hair color as an element of dragon color, while not new, is nicely done here and matches a type of personality as well it seems. 

There’s some hilarious scenes as Annwyl and Fearghus get acquainted with each other. Arrogance and rage are well matched within their relationship dynamics. 

Fearghus’ sister is another favorite character along with Annwyl’s general.  I could wish that her brother and that history was better explored here. We don’t get a full picture of him, his upbringing, or what drives him here. Nor those around him. So the battle is one-sided. And that leaves the narrative a bit unbalanced.

The relationships between dragons, dragon and human are all very different. So you don’t really feel like the dragons are “human coded” which is great.  

The dragon queen and consort are intriguing. Which makes it great that the second story included here is their origin romance and the Queen’s journey into her role.  It’s appropriately titled Chains & Flames. 

Both are very sexual creatures, kinky, and the story is full of their sexual encounters as she fights her mother for the Crown and control over her life. Think collars and chains and Claiming. 

Which brings me to the covers.

Oh that cover. It does read total dragon fantasy but for what age group? Both  are very spicy, kinky violent stories. Heads rolls, lots of sex scenes, some with chains and collars but in a different definitely non-villainous aspect.  Does that cover read that? Hmm don’t think so. It’s so cute. 

The author, G. A. Aiken , turns out to be a pen name for author Shelly Laurenston, an author I recently discovered (and love) and am now working on her backlog of books. So is that two writers in one? Looks like! 

Anyway, here’s another older series about dragons, dragon shifters, women warriors, and roads to romance. I enjoyed it! A lot. But if you want a sweet fantasy novel, this isn’t it. Bloody swords, battles, and raging women? Yes. Read this. 

Dragon Kin:

Dragon Actually #1

About A Dragon #2

What a Dragon Should Know #3

Last Dragon Standing #4

The Dragon Who Loved Me #5

How to Drive a Dragon Crazy #6

Light My Fire #7

Feel The Burn #8

Bring The Heat #9

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        Dragon Actually (Dragon Kin Book 1)

    

Blurb 

It’s not always easy being a female warrior with a nickname like Annwyl the Bloody. Men tend to either cower in fear—a lot—or else salute. It’s true that Annwyl has a knack for decapitating legions of her ruthless brother’s soldiers without pausing for breath. But just once it would be nice to be able to really talk to a man, the way she can talk to Fearghus the Destroyer.

Too bad that Fearghus is a dragon, of the large, scaly, and deadly type. With him, Annwyl feels safe—a far cry from the feelings aroused by the hard-bodied, arrogant knight Fearghus has arranged to help train her for battle. With her days spent fighting a man who fills her with fierce, heady desire, and her nights spent in the company of a magical creature who could smite a village just by exhaling, Annwyl is sure life couldn’t get any stranger.

She’s wrong . . . 

And just wait until you meet the rest of the family . . . 

  • Publisher: Zebra Books
  • Publication date: August 26, 2008
  • Edition: Reprint
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 353 pages
  • Book 1 of 9: Dragon Kin